Rental agreement decision anticipated

Steve Marcotte

Wednesday

Aug 22, 2007 at 12:01 AM

ASHBURNHAM — The Ashburnham-Westminster School Committee is planning to continue discussions on potentially reducing the assessment to the two towns by the rental fee currently being charged to Ashburnham for use of a section of Oakmont High School during renovations of their Town Hall. Although Tuesday’s meeting went past presstime, school committee Chairman David Christianson said he wanted to mention the topic. The budget talks have caused the delay in making a decision on the rental agreement, he said. “With everything else going on, there hasn’t been any formal or even casual discussion,” Mr. Christianson said. “We do need to dispose of the issue at some point in the near future.” During a June 4 Board of Selectmen meeting, Ashburnham officials said the costs associated with renting space at Oakmont and the price to install security equipment was too high, so they requested for the school district to provide compensation for the reported unanticipated costs. Ashburnham employees moved into Oakmont in May and they have estimated that the approximately one-year relocation is going to cost more than $74,000. Included in that amount is an estimated $18,900 for rent. Mr. Christianson said he doesn’t know how the rest of the school committee is going to react to reducing the assessment, which would lower the amount the two towns would have to pay in the school district’s fiscal 2009 budget. Although the recent failed Proposition 2 1/2 budget override vote could have a role in what decision is made, Mr. Christianson said it doesn’t change his opinion of the situation. “I still think we should lower the assessments,” he said. “I’m committed to that recommendation. I still think it’s the right thing to do, despite all of the trouble that went on.” At a meeting on July 17, the school committee voted against discussing the rental agreement. The committee tabled the issue. smarcotte@thegardnernews.com

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